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The evolution of reproductive isolation through sexual conflict

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  • Oliver Y. Martin

    (Zoological Museum, University of Zürich)

  • David J. Hosken

    (Zoological Museum, University of Zürich)

Abstract

Classical population-genetics theory suggests that reproductive isolation will evolve fastest in small isolated populations1. In contrast, recent theory suggests that divergence should occur fastest in larger allopatric populations2. The rationale behind this is that sexual conflict, potentially the strongest driver of speciation, is greater in larger, higher-density populations. This idea is highly controversial3 and has little experimental support4,5. Here we show, using replicate fly populations with varying levels of sexual conflict, that larger, more dense populations with more sexual conflict diverged to a greater degree than small populations with relaxed conflict. This result strongly suggests that speciation can occur rapidly in large populations through increased sexual conflict.

Suggested Citation

  • Oliver Y. Martin & David J. Hosken, 2003. "The evolution of reproductive isolation through sexual conflict," Nature, Nature, vol. 423(6943), pages 979-982, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:423:y:2003:i:6943:d:10.1038_nature01752
    DOI: 10.1038/nature01752
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    Cited by:

    1. Johannes Bergsten & Kelly B Miller, 2007. "Phylogeny of Diving Beetles Reveals a Coevolutionary Arms Race between the Sexes," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 2(6), pages 1-6, June.
    2. Janette W Boughman, 2018. "When does male competition foster speciation?: a comment on Tinghitella et al," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 29(4), pages 801-802.

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